Chapter 401 - 399: A Void Like a Black Hole

Rose Shaw turned and walked out.

Melody Monroe had already foreseen the outcome of Rose Shaw’s return.

She was bound to become the Executive President of Stellaris.

In truth, Rose Shaw knew it herself. She couldn’t refuse Christopher Sterling—not over the phone, and certainly not in person.

In the original novel, Rose Shaw was Stellaris’s Executive President from the moment she appeared.

Now, it was just happening a little sooner.

Melody Monroe sighed. ’Does this mean I can only change minor plot points, but not the main storyline?’

’If that’s really the case, what am I supposed to do?’

...

That night, Rose Shaw took a flight back to Rockwellburg and gave Christopher Sterling a call.

"President Sterling, I’m back in Rockwellburg. I’ll be at the office first thing in the morning."

"It’s already so late. Get a good night’s sleep. You just need to be at the office before nine tomorrow morning. There’s an important meeting at nine that you must attend."

"All right." Rose Shaw nodded. "President Sterling, about the Executive President position you mentioned today..."

"Christopher, I had the housekeeper make your favorite soup. Why don’t you take a break and have some?"

Lana Sheffield’s voice came through the phone.

"Get out!" Even though Christopher Sterling had deliberately pulled the phone away, Rose Shaw still heard him.

Lana Sheffield’s expression froze. She turned and stormed out in a huff.

"What were you saying?" Christopher Sterling asked Rose Shaw.

Rose Shaw’s mood soured. Between that and the fatigue from her hectic schedule, she replied, "It’s nothing. Let’s just talk about it tomorrow morning."

"Mm."

"President Sterling, there’s something I’d like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"It’s just... are you... are you happy, now that you’re married?"

Christopher Sterling was at a loss for words. He found the question impossible to answer. There was no good response in his heart, and a bitter taste even seemed to fill his mouth.

"I didn’t mean anything by it! It’s just... I’m getting engaged next month, too."

"Engaged?!" Christopher Sterling’s voice shot up several octaves, filled with astonishment.

"That’s right." Rose Shaw took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. ’I can’t believe I actually had the courage to say that.’

"Good night, President Sterling."

BEEP... BEEP... BEEP... The line went dead. Christopher Sterling gripped his phone, a sudden feeling of loss washing over him, as if a part of him had just been carved away.

The missing piece seemed so small, so insignificant.

But it was like a black hole.

...

The next morning, Rose Shaw took great care with her appearance. She stepped into Stellaris HQ dressed in a luxury haute couture suit, a pair of ten-centimeter heels, and flawless makeup, complete with her signature "queen red" lipstick.

"President Shaw, good morning. President Sterling gave instructions to have your office moved over here."

Rose Shaw froze. "Rachel, what did you just call me?"

"President Shaw! Congratulations, President Shaw, on becoming Stellaris’s Executive President! I was promoted by President Sterling, too. I’m your secretary now!"

As far as Rose Shaw was concerned, she hadn’t agreed to anything yet. Nothing was set in stone!

’How did I become ’President Shaw’ the moment I walked into the office?’

"Has President Sterling arrived yet?"

"Not yet. President Shaw, you should go take a look at your new office. President Sterling personally supervised its arrangement and had it completely redecorated."

Rose Shaw followed Rachel to her new office.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. A large desk dominated the room, which was decorated in a chic, modern style—minimalist, yet exuding an air of sharp competence.

The overall aesthetic was very neutral, just the way Rose Shaw liked it.

However, she noticed a beaded curtain hanging with the drapes. At a glance, it lent a touch of delicate beauty to the entire office, softening its style.